Pneumatic action for player piano



D. L; GRIBBLE PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR PLAYER PIANO May 27, 1958 Flled July 12 1954 y 7, 958 D. L. GRIBBLE 2,836,092

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR PLAYER PIANO Filed July 12, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @TTORNE May 27, 1958 D. GRIBBLE PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR PLAYER PIANO 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 12, 1954 mum .lll

\ E Z Z Z IZI I?IZIZIZM I IQI IZIZMQlil l D. L. GRIBBLE PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR PLAYER PIANO May 27, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 12, 1954 INVENTOR. .0144 /7f L. 'nb/e AITURNE United States Patent Dwight L. Gribble, Kansas City, L. Gribble Music Company, poration of Missouri Application July 12, 1954, Serial No. 442,474

. 2 Claims. (CI. 84-25) M0., assignor to Dwight Kansas City, Mo., a cor- This invention relates to improvements in control means for structures of the type having depressible keys such as pianos, organs, musical instruments generally, and other instrumentalities wherein it is desired to automatically cause the keys to be depressed through use of a program strip having pro-arranged note perforations formed therein.

More specifically, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide key depression means in the nature of a single row or bank of devices located on one side of the keys and operably connected therewith so as to cause depression in pre-arranged order as the said devices exert a pull upon the keys.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision in an instrument having a horizontal keyboard of a single series of power devices, each located directly beneath its key and coupled directly thereto so as to exert a downward pull thereon each time the devices are placed in operation.

Another very important object of the present invention is the provision of structure of the aforementioned character adapted for attachment to a conventional piano or similar musical instrument directly beneath the key bed and having a substantially large number of the component parts thereof mounted in a drawer that may be shifted to and from a position for accessibility of the said parts.

Another important object of the instant invention is the provision of a player attachment for pianos that includes as a unit, an elongated bar adapted to be mounted on the piano beneath the key bed thereof in a manner to avoid all distraction of appearance and carrying not only the row of side-by-side, elongated, pneumatics, but a series of double valve assemblies connected with the pneumatics through the bar, but a wind chest common to the valves.

It is an important aim of the present invention to provide in a player piano novel means for operating the program spool and the take-up spool of the perforated program sheet and including a prime mover that is automatically shiftable into alternate operative connection with the two spools for the function of rewinding.

Another aim of the instant invention is the provision in operating structure for the program control that automatically causes rewinding of the program strip after the same has been advanced from the program spool to the take-up spool.

Additional objects include the way in which in one form of the invention there is provided valve means interposed between the pneumatics and the mechanism for producing a suction, which valve means are operably coupled with the control assembly that includes a program strip for causing operation of the pneumatics as the valve assemblies are placed in communication with the atmosphere through the tracker bar; the way in which there is provided a wind chest common to the valves and coupled with the suction-producing means; the manner of using a diaphragm for opening the valves and placing the pneumatics into communication with the suction-producing ice means only when the diaphragms are placed in communication with the atmosphere; the way in which the valves are arranged in pairs for conservation of space; the manner of mounting the tracker bar for adjustment to align its note ports with the note perforations of the program strip; and many additional objects to be made clear as the following specification progresses.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary, horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on irregular line l-I of Fig. 2 and illustrating the components of the player piano made according to one form of the present invention which are carried by a slide drawer attached to the piano.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line II-Il of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on irregular line Ill-Ill of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on irregular line lV-1V of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, front elevational view with the slide drawer removed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modified form of the instant invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line IX lX of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line X-X of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, plan view on a reduced scale showing the program strip receiving spools and the tracker bar illustrated in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary, end elevational view of the the spools being arranged for rotation by any suitableprime mover such as an electric motor 13 at one end of bracket 14 within drawer 16.

A tracker bar 26 mounted in the bracket 14, is provided with note ports 22 complemental to note perforations 24 in a program strip 26 of a program roll 28.

Take-up spool 10 and the program spool 12 may be rotated for travel of the program strip 26 through the tracker bar 20, and novel means for controlling such rotation has been provided. The take-up spool 10 is mounted on a shaft 30 journaled in hearings in the spool bracket 14 and provided with a gear 32 rigid thereto.

The program spool 12 is removably mounted in a suitable manner between a spring-pressed stub shaft 36 at one end of spool 12 and a drive shaft 38 having clutch connection with the opposite end of spool 12. A gear 46 is rigidly secured to shaft 38 and an idler gear 42 is mounted on bracket 14 to mesh with gear 40.

Motor 18 is mounted on a plate 44, in turn carried by bracket 14 through a pintle 46 rotatable in a bearing 48 secured to bracket 14. A spring 56 interconnecting plate 44 and bracket 14- yieldably holds a gear 52 on drive shaft 54 of motor 18 in mesh with gear 42. When a link 56, coupled with plate 44, is pulled against the action of spring 50, gear 52 of motor 18 is swung into engagement with gear 32.

The respective note perforations 24 cause actuation of key pneumatics 58 upon registration thereof with corresponding note ports 22 in tracker bar 20. Thus, upon registry of any one of the note perforations 24 with a note port 22 in the tracker bar 20, the corresponding pneumatic 58 will actuate its key 66 of piano 62 to play the note. A pneumatic 58 is also provided for each sharp and flat key 66a, and each pneumatic 58 is provided with a small vent 57 as seen in Fig. 2.

A pump unit 64 may be placed on the bottom board beneath the keyboard or at one end of the piano 62, and a pair of flexible tubes 66 are detachably connected with the tracker bar 2% so that they may be disconnected with ease. Pump unit 64 comprises means for producing a suction through tubes 66 and contains a vacuum pump and an electric motor 68 for driving the pump.

As best seen in Figs. 2 and of the drawings, the tracker bar 20 is sectional and includes an uppermost, enlongated, tubular wind chest 70 and a lowermost section 72, the note ports being formed in both sections 70 and 72. Removable wind chest 78 which rests upon the section 72 in normal use is provided with tubular plugs 74 that slidably extend into bores '76 of section 72 for register with tubular couplings 78 rigid to the section 72 within bores 76 and receiving the tubes 66 as shown in Fig. 5.

Each pneumatic 58 is releasably coupled through use of a pair of preferably flexible conduits or hoses 80 and 82 as best seen in Fig. 2. Conduit 82 receives inserts 84 at one end thereof, and tubular couplings 86 at its opposite end, it being noted in Fig. 5 that the inserts 84 extend into the section 72 of tracker bar 20 at the lower face thereof and in communication with the note ports 22. The couplings 86 are carried by an elongated strip 88 on the rearmost wall 99 of drawer 16 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

Pneumatics 58 are suitably mounted as by use of adhesive or mechanical fastening on the uppermost face of an elongated support bar 22 between key bed 94 of piano 62 and the bracket 14 of drawer 16. Horizontal supporting bar 92 may be secured to the lower face of bed 94 through use of brackets 96 at the ends thereof and depending from the bed 24. An L-shaped passage 98 is provided in the bar 92 for each pneumatic 58 respectively, and which passages 28 communicate with the pneumatics 58 therewithin. One end of the conduits 80 connects with couplings 86 and the opposite ends thereof communicate with the passages 98 through plugs 100.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the pneumatics 58 are coupled with the keys 6t and 66:: by flexible straps 162 connected with the keys at the uppermost ends thereof through use of screw eyes 184 and with pneumatics 58 at the lowermost ends thereof by pins 166 that extend through the straps 102. Straps 182 extend through openings 198 formed in the key bed 94 as shown in Fig. 2.

Motor 18 is controlled by a manual switch 116 carried by a plate 112 mounted on bracket 14, as seen in Fig. 1. Plate 112 also carries a switch 114 for motor 68 and is connected with a pneumatic 116 by a link 118. Pneumatic 116 mounted on the bracket 14, is coupled with one of the note ports of tracker bar 20 (designated by the numeral 2211) by a flexible conduit 82a (shown only in Fig. l). A second control pneumatic 12G, mounted on the bracket 14 and in opposed relationship to the pneumatic 116, is coupled directly to the pump unit 64 by a conduit 12 shown only in Fig. 1. Line 56 pivotally interconnects pneumatic 120 with plate 44 as seen in Figs. 1 and 4.

It is now seen that when drawer 16 is closed and at the innermost end of its path of travel as shown in Fig. 2, pneumatics 58 and their associated parts, as well as all of the structure contained in bracket 14, are hidden from view by forwardmost wall 124 of drawer 1i, and which extends between legs 126 of the piano 62.

For attractiveness in appearance, the wall 124 may be arcuate as shown in Fig. 2, and extends downwardly and inwardly from the lowermost face of bed 94 at its forwardmost edge, to a point of connection with the bracket 14, as seen in Fig. 2.

Drawer 16 is slidably mounted on the piano 62 through use of tracks 128 and slide boards 130, one only of which is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

When the player piano illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, is to be placed in use, the operator need merely pull outwardly upon the drawer 16 to render the tracker bar 20 and the spools 10 and 12 readily accessible. The wind chest 70 of tracker bar 20 is first lifted upwardly, whereupon program spool 12 with a program roll 28 thereon, may be inserted through a retraction of stub shaft The program strip 26 is then extended across the upper face of section 72 of tracker bar 20 and one end of the strip 26 is connected to the take-up spool 10 in the usual manner. Wind chest 70 is then replaced in overlying relationship to the strip 26 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

The operator closes toggle switch 114 by pulling the same forwardly to energize pump motor 68 and thereupon closes switch 110 to energize the motor 18. The drawer 16 may thereupon be closed to the position shown in Fig. 2.

As soon as the motor 63 commences operating, it creates a reduced pressure in pneumatic 120 by virtue of connection 122 with pump unit 64. This collapses the pneumatic 120, causing it to exert a pull upon the link 56 to swing plate 44 and motor 18 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3, and to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, all against the action of spring 50. Such swinging movement of plate 44 on the pintle 46, moves the gear 52 of motor shaft 54 into mesh with gear 32 of shaft 30 on take-up spool 10. In other words, the action of pneumatic 120 is to cause movement of gear 52 from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to an operative connection with the take-up spool 10.

As soon as switch 110 is closed therefore, motor 18 being energized, will rotate the shaft 30 counterclockwise, viewing Fig. 3, thereby unwinding the roll 28 from program spool 12 and winding the strip 26 on the take-up spool 10. As the tape 26 traverses the tracker bar 20 in its advance movement from spool 12 to spool 10, note perforations 24 of the strip 26 will register with the note ports 22 in the usual manner, causing operation of pneumatics 58 by producing a reduced pressure therewithin through conduits and 82. Manifestly, each time a pneumatic 58 is thus collapsed, it will exert a downward pull upon the corresponding key 60 or 60a, through the straps 102.

This operation continues until substantially all of the strip 26 is wound on the take-up spool 10, whereupon a single note perforation 24 (not shown) and which may be termed a stop or reversing note perforation, registers with the note port 22a of tracker bar 20 to establish a suction in line 82 a and reduce the pressure within pneumatic 116. When pneumatic 116 is thus operated, a pull is exerted upon link 118 to close switch 114, thus deenergizing the motor 68. When the suction in pneumatic 116 is thereby cut off, spring 50 operates to swing the plate 44 to the full-line position shown in Fig. 4, thereby returning the gear 52 into mesh with the gear 42, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Gear 52, rotating always in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 3 when motor 18 is energized, will then rotate gear 42 in an anti-clockwise direction and gear 40 of program spool 12 will rotate in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3. Thus, as soon as switch 114 is opened to deenergize motor 68, strip 26 is rewound on the program spool 12 into the, program roll 28 by operation of motor 18. As is well known, the connection of strip 26 with the take-up spool 10, is of such nature as to automatically release when all of the strip 26 becomes unwound from the spool 10 and spool 12 may continue to rotate freely until the operator opens the drawer 16 and manually opens the switch to deenergize motor 18.

In one modified form of my invention, the operation is the same as just above described, and the differences lie only in the constructon shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Each key 160 is provided with a pneumatic 158 which is secured directly to the lowermost face of the key 160 instead of being supported by a bar such as at 92, as shown in Fig. 2. Pneumatics 158 are coupled with a source of reduced air pressure such as unit 64 shown in Fig. 2, through a tracker bar (not shown) by a conduit 180 corresponding to conduit 80 in Figs. 1 and 2. An opening 181 is provided in bed 194 to clear the conduit 180.

Pneumatics 158 may be glued or otherwise secured to the lowermost faces of keys 116 and are provided with forwardly extending projections 183, and an L-shaped limit screw 185 carried by the bed 194 is provided for each pneumatic 158 respectively. Screws 185 are hooked over the extensions 183 to determine the extent of upward movement of the latter. Thus, when a suction is drawn on the conduit 180 to collapse the pneumatic 158, key 160 is depressed or pulled downwardly by the pulling action of the power device 158. Proper travel of the key 160 may be controlled by the adjustment of screw 185 in bed 194. In all other respects, the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 operates precisely as the form of my invention depicted by Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

The attachment shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, is in many respects, the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive and includes a take-up spool 210 and a program spool 212 carried by spool bracket 214 which is in turn in side drawer 216. The drawer 216 is carried by piano 262 below bed 294 in the same manner as drawer 16 and pneumatics 258 are shown coupled with keys 260 precisely as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Whereas passages 98 in bar 92 are coupled directly with tracker bar 20 through conduits 80 and 82 in Figs. 2, passages 298 formed in bar 292 for pneumatics 258, communicate with an elongated valve body broadly designated by the numeral 259 detailed in Fig. of the drawings. Valve body 259, supported in any suitable manner by the piano 262, together with an elongated wind chest 270, are coextensive in length with the bar 292, the wind chest 270 communicating with a pump unit of other means for producing suction (not shown) through the medium of one or more tubes 266.

The valve body 259 is preferably made from three superimposed sections 263, 265 and 267, the latter of which clamp a flexible diaphragm 269 therebetween. The diaphragm 269 is coextensive in length with the body 259 and supports a plurality of floating valves 271 within the body 259. A valve 271 is provided for each pneumatic 258 and, therefore, for each key 260 respectively, but the valves 271 are arranged in pairs as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings so that within the space that is available beneath the bed 294 of the piano 262, there may be provided a valve 271 for each of the keys 260, as well as the sharp and flat keys. An opening to the atmosphere for each valve 271 respectively, and disposed directly thereabove, is provided in the section 263 of body 259 and designated by the numeral 273.

The section 263 is also provided with a conduit 280 for each valve 271 respectively and each communicating with a corresponding passage 298 in the bar 292. A port 277 is provided in the wind chest 270 for each pair of valves 271 and which communicate with'the body 259 through openings 279 in the center section 265 thereof. Connecting passageways 281 in the section 265 place a pair of valves 271 in communication with each opening 279 respectively. I

Tracker bar 272 carried by the bracket 214 takes the same form as section 72 of tracker bar 20 as shown in Fig. 2 and is coupled with the section 267 of valve body 259 by conduits 282, it being seen that there is a conduit 282 for each valve 271 respectively.

Valves 271 are normally closed with respect to interconnecting passages 283 in body section 265 as shown in Fig. 10, and a vent 257 in diaphragm 269 underlies the base of each valve 271 respectively.

Tracker bar 272 is adjustably mounted on the bracket 214 as seen in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings. An elongated slot 285 at one end of the tracker bar 272, receives a locking fastener 287 which, when loosened, permits free swinging movement of the tracker bar 272, as well as reciprocation on its longitudinal axis. At the opposite end of the tracker bar 272, there is provided an axial bolt 289 extending loosely through a secondary bracket 291 and provided with an adjusting nut 293. A spring 295 yieldably holds the nut 293 against the bracket 291. The secondary bracket 291 also supports a plurality of studs 297 which are in turn adjustable and bear against the tracker bar 272 to hold the latter in adjusted lateral and longitudinal positions with respect to program spool 212 and take-up spool 210. As long as take-up spool 210, program spool 212, and tracker bar 272 are in alignment, program strip 226 will travel its entire length without lateral movement.

In some instances the operator may find it necessary to adjust nut 293 to shift tracker bar 272 so its note ports 222 may be properly aligned with the note perforations (not shown) of program strip 226. Once the note ports 222 are aligned with a particular program strip 226, no other adjustment is required for such program strip.

The means for controlling the rotation of spools 210 and 212 may take the same form as that above described and shown specifically in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. As in the form of the invention initially described, the pneumatics 258 are operated automatically as the program strip 226 traverses the tracker bar 272 and the note perforations thereof move into register with the underlying note ports 222. Normally, when the strip 226 overlies, covers, and therefore, closes the ports 222, valves 271 are positioned as shown in Fig. 10 closing the passage from wind chest 270 to the pneumatics 258. The existing suction within the wind chest 270 does not, therefore, contract the pneumatics 258 as long as the corresponding valves 271 remain closed with respect to passages 283. As long as the note ports 222, the conduits 282 and the spaces within the section 267 below diaphragm 269 remain closed, the trapped atmospheric air is reduced in pressure by partial absorption thereof into the space within section 265 above diaphragm 269 through vent hole 257. Consequently, the pressure below the diaphragm 269 is reduced below the pressure above the top of valve 271; therefore, valve 271 remains closed as shown in Figure 10.

When, however, the ports 222 of tracker bar 272 are placed in communication with the atmosphere by note perforations of the program strip 226 registering therewith, the lower face of diaphragm 269 is thereby exposed to atmospheric pressure and because of reduced pressure within the wind chest 270, the diaphragm raises, thus moving the valve 271 to the upward position to in turn operate the pneumatics 258 and, therefore, the keys 260. When the valves 271 rise and become unseated with respect to passages 283, the openings 273 close and a direct passageway is established from the source of suction through the tube 266, wind chest 27 0, port 277, openings 279, passage 283, conduit 280, and passages 298 to pneumatic 258. In the event a note perforation of strip 226 registers with a port 222 corresponding to valve 271, disposed to the left viewing Fig. 10, then communication with the wind chest 270 is established through passage 281. a

It is noted in Fig. 9 of the drawings that the valve body 259 in addition to being sub-divided longitudinally into sections 263, 265 and 267, is also sub-divided transversely to the end that any pair of valves 271 may be removed for repair or replacement easily and quickly at any time. The three sections 263, 265 and 267 as further subdivided in the manner shown by Fig. 9 of the drawings,

may all be releasably interconnected in any suitable manner not illustrated in the drawings.

It is now apparent that in each form of the invention the power devices or pulling means for the keys of the instrument, are coupled directly thereto and are disposed directly below the keys so as to exert a pulling action upon the keys whenever the pulling devices are placed in operation.

The entire attachment is disposed beneath the key bed of the piano and substantially hidden from view by virtue of the utilization of a slide drawer. It is to be appreciated further that the attachment is of such nature as to be universally adaptable for virtually any structure that employs a keyboard having a horizontal series of depressible keys, particularly when the keyboard is disposed above a bed adapting the mounting of a drawer therebelow for sliding movement to and from a position where the program roll assembly and the tracker bar are readily accessible for removal and replacement of rolls.

It is extremely important to note that whereas it has heretofore been the universal practice to provide two or three stacks of pneumatics in player pianos, the instant invention contemplates but a single row of pneumatics. Such construction adapts the attachment for universal mounting on virtually any of the relatively small, spinettype pianos that have become popular in recent years. While it has not been particularly difficult to provide for automatic player action in grand or large upright pianos, the problem of adapting the smaller instruments to such operation can best be solved by use of the principles above outlined.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a piano having a key bed and a horizontal series of depressible keys overlying the key bed, an elongated bar disposed beneath the bed and substantially coextensive in length therewith; a single bank of side-byside, elongated collapsible pneumatics mounted on the uppermost face of the bar, there being a pneumatic for each key respectively; suction production means for the pneumatics; 1, cans adapted to interconnect each of said pneumatics with a corresponding key for depressing the latter upon deflation and collapsing of a respective pneumatic; a horizontal support adapted to be slidably mounted on the piano below said bar and movable to a position substantially clearing the bar; control mechanism carried by said support and adapted to receive a perforated program strip, said mechanism including a hollow tracker bar for said strip; a series of side-by-side valve assentblies mounted on one edge of the bar, each having a pair of spaced, elongated, valve chambers, there being 8 a chamber for each pneumatic respectively, and vents in the assemblies communicating one end of the chambers respectively with the atmosphere; flexible conduit means placing the opposite ends of each of the chambers in communication with the tracker bar; a flexible dia phragm secured in and spanning each chamber respectively intermediate the ends thereof, there being passage means in the bar and the assemblies placing each pneumatic into communication with a corresponding chamber at a point intermediate the vent and a. respective diaphragm; a valve reciprocable in the chamber carried by the diaphragm and movable from a position closing said passage means to a location closing a corresponding vent upon movement of the diaphragm; a wind chest mounted on the opposite face of the bar and communicating with all of the chambers between said passage means and said opposite ends thereof; and a conduit interconnecting the wind chest and said suction means whereby upon communication of said opposite ends of the chambers with the atmosphere through the perforations in the strip, the suction means moves the valves to close the vents and collapse the pneumatics and thereby depress the keys.

2. A piano as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said valve assemblies includes two ends and a middle section, said flexible conduits communicating with ,respective chambers through one of the end sections, said passage means and the vents communicating with respective chamber through the other end section, the wind chest being coupled to the chambers through the middle section, and the diaphragm being located between the middle section and said one of the end sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 706,946 Hupfeld Aug. 12, 1902 729,260 Bessier May 26, 1903 848,207 Rodesch Mar. 26, 1907 883,065 Brana Mar. 24, 1908 1,279,371 Laubach Sept. 17, 1918 1,423,271 Spencer July 18, 1922 1,527,313 Joie et al Feb. 24, 1925 1,676,781 Huseby July 10, 1928 1,775,261 Verlinden Sept. 9, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,355 Great Britain 1904 285,656 Germany July 9, 1915 210,390 Great Britain July 4, 1923 

